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9/11 Changed Travel Forever

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Gurdeep of Fair Lawn NJ (6/19/04) writes:
My wife and I booked a cruise on Norwegian Cruise Lines for Sunday September 28, 2003. This cruise was to be our honeymoon, as we were just married. We were so excited while driving to New York City to board the cruise. We worked so hard to save the money for the cruise and also felt like it was the perfect place to go for our honeymoon. Upon getting to the loading area, our excitement quickly turned into horror.

While examining our paperwork, we were told that my wife was not allowed to go on the cruise because of her visa status. I told the employee that that was impossible, since we brought all the documentation that we were told to bring. When I had called to ask what documentation was needed, they said we would need our passports, birth certificates and the marriage license. I asked them if anything else was needed and they said the most important thing was the marriage license and as long as we had that we would not have any problem. That information turned out to be false.

I also told the immigration officer that we would stay on the ship and not get off at any stops. I asked desperately if I could do whatever so that we can board. But unfortunately I was told there was nothing. We waited two hours for them to get our luggage back from the room. Watching the sadness on the face of my wife was heartbreaking.

We were not allowed to board the cruise and had to return home depressed. We spent so much time and effort planning the most special time in our new life together and we thought that a cruise would be the best way to celebrate our marriage. My wife and I had planned the cruise for a year and we worked hard to save $100 a month for the tickets. We were looking forward to spending time together, celebrating our marriage and having memories that we would cherish for the rest of our lives. Taking days off from work without pay and spending money on the cruise was a fortune out of my pocket.

I would appreciate it if I could get a refund or another cruise line tickets that we can use.

It is indeed unfortunate that Gurdeep's plsns were ruined, but all cruise lines have to meet tougher U.S. regulations following 9/11. Here, for example, is what Norwegian Cruise Lines advises:

Please be advised that Norwegian Cruise Line passengers need the required travel documentation at embarkation. Previously, cruise line passengers have signed a release form acknowledging their U.S. citizenship, allowing boarding. Effective September 22, 2002 this will no longer be the case with Norwegian Cruise Line. Our policy states that any guest traveling without proper documentation will not be allowed to board the vessel and no refund will be issued.

(Please note that the requirements listed below apply to all NCL cruises EXCEPT sailings in Europe, South America, as well as cruises from Hawaii calling at Fanning Island, The Republic of Kiribati. Passengers on these cruises must have a valid passport to travel on NCL.)

U.S. and Canadian citizens must provide PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP and PROOF OF IDENTITY for boarding NCL cruises.

PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP consists of one of the following:

• Passport (preferred)
• Original or state certified copy of a birth certificate (photocopies are not accepted)
• Certificate of naturalization
• Certificate of citizenship
• Report of a birth abroad PROOF OF IDENTITY consists of one of the following (applicable to everyone 16 years of age and older):
• Valid driver's license that includes a photograph
• Government identification card including a photograph and physical description

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